HELP! what am I getting myself into?

I'm trying to start my own website and I'm getting very confused.

I thought you just buy a domain name, and them boom your good to go...
but now it seems I need to buy hosting too for like, $4 a month!? and I dont understand the features and which ones I need.

My site is going to have a homepage,
a page with pictures that can be zoomed in on when clicked,
and page where users can submit a file + email,
and a page with a forum (im thinking of using phpBB)

I'm using dreamweaver to build my pages, and Ive seen tutorial on how to publish it to your domain name, so im good there. But im worried about bandwith. I just dont get it. How much do I need? Im not even sure what bandwith means! I'd like to expect ALOT of hits on this site, does that even have anything to do with bandwith?

whats the best domain + hosting service to fit my needs where I can use phpBB?

and please, when answering keep in mind although I know html and basic css, and can use dreamweaver without a hitch, all this server language and domain stuff, im complete noob to.

Im afraid im going to be ripped off buying options I dont need.


edit: oh and I havent bought a domain yet, but I know its available, and Ive been looking into godaddy.com, but is that the best option?

I've been a LONG time godaddy user (before they were even known) and while their prices are slightly higher than most you get Outstanding customer service with them. Well, at least I do, but then again I buy all my domains from them.

For using PHPBB you need a Linux server. Godaddy has this option available to you.

Bandwidth or (Monthly Data Transfer) depends on how many users you will have. 250GB is a TON of bandwidth and that is what GoDaddy gives thier basic hosting accounts. Another great thing about using them for hosting is that you get your domain name for $1.99 if you purchase it at the same time you do the hosting.

The only problem I have had with them is the email accounts. Like almost every other hosting company, you only get 10MB of email storage. This is enough for business use only, but if you start getting forwards and tons of junk mail it will be a problem. But the solution to that is just don't use the email address for anything non website related.

They also have built in PHP editors like Joomla, Droople, and other names (besides phpBB) which are available. PHPBB is the most common but unfortunately that does mean it is the most hacked as well.

No, I do not work for Godaddy, but I am a satisfied customer. Hope that information helps you.

You can host phpBB on A2hosting.com as they provide this feature. This company provides an easy install of phpBB through Fantastico. You'll have a lot of key features of phpBB that will be usweful for you.

I quite like http://namecheap.com for domains and like http://www.eukhost.com/ for my hosting other good ones are 123reg and 1and1